Greater Fuel Efficiency

Slashdot, one of my favorite reads, tends to focus on technology as the avenue to a better tomorrow because it's written by people obsessed with technology. The issue in this posting is fuel efficiency, and it is related to broader energy-related issues.

What would the ramifications of greater fuel efficiency be for the future? As usual, you're encouraged to consider the extreme possibilities and those that might be considered reasonable. If you are in favor of a particular view, try to consider alternative viewpoints as well. Remember that utopian thinking could lead to dystopian realities (as the old saying goes, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions.")

New Fuel Cell Twice As Efficient As Generators
http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/07/06/04/0237222.shtml

Hank Green writes "A new kind of Solid Oxide Fuel
Cell has been developed that can consume any kind of fuel, from hydrogen to bio-diesel; it is over two times more efficient than traditional generators. Acumentrics is attempting to market the technology to off-grid applications (like National Parks) and also for home use as personal Combined Heat and Power plants that are extremely efficient (half as carbon-intensive as grid power.)"